and the swaggering show-offs. Recorded by al-Tirmidhi, who declared it ḥasan. Its detailed discussion has already appeared in the chapter on good character.
[Explanation]
All of these narrations concern what a person lets slip from his tongue. Indeed, it is not merely recommended but obligatory that one speak only what is good, for the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or keep silent.”
Good speech may be good in itself, or good because of the benefit it brings to others.
- Speech that is good in itself includes reciting the Quran, making dhikr (remembrance of Allah), engaging in al-amr bi-l-maʿrūf (enjoining what is right), al-nahy ʿan al-munkar (forbidding what is wrong), and the like.
- Speech that is good for the sake of others is when a person says something that carries no inherent reward, yet he intends by it to cheer up his brothers, dispel their unease, and bring their hearts together. This too counts as good. Even ordinary, everyday conversation becomes praiseworthy if the speaker’s intention matches what we have just described.
The opposite of this is the foul-mouthed individual—may Allah protect us—who is ṭaʿʿān (habitually insulting), laʿʿān (constantly cursing). Ṭaʿʿān means he maligns people’s lineage and disparages them, while laʿʿān means he frequently curses and reviles them. We ask Allah for well-being.
The Prophet ﷺ negated faith from such a person, saying, “The believer is not a slanderer, nor a curser, nor indecent, nor foul-spoken.” Rather, the believer is gentle, easy-going, and gracious; his words come forth smoothly and kindly.